Thursday, July 29, 2010

The ambitious face of Bangalore could be seen in the BTM Layout ward, which is one among the seven wards that make up the Assembly constituency of the same name.

But this does not imply that the place is free from civic problems.

The absence of a corporator is quite evident here. The Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy refuses to own responsibility to sort out the civic problems in this ward.

When Deccan Herald drew his attention to problems in the ward, Reddy wanted to know why he was being questioned when there are the BBMP officials and the Member of Parliament, Ananth Kumar.

An otherwise peaceful and serene area, BTM Layout is today plagued by the garbage menace and rising criminal activities.

“Just a few days ago, two youth in a motorcycle came to our street and fled after snatching a gold necklace from a woman. This happened so suddenly that we could not react. Our area was so peaceful a couple of years back. But now we are not safe here,” said Krishnamurthy Rao, a resident of Second Stage in BTM Layout.

However, BTM Layout is fares better when compared to any other part of the City. Good roads, nice parks and lush green streets characterise the identity of many BDA developed localities here.

But one major problem people are facing at present is water supply. Residents say the quality and quantity of water supplied in the area is below the mark. The BTM Layout Residents’ Forum (BLRF) too says that the water is a major problem in the area.

“We have been complaining to the BWSSB authorities about the water problem in our area, but in vain,” said Madhusudan, an office-bearer of the BLRF. However, MLA Ramalinga Reddy did not see any problem there. “Don’t listen to the BLRF. They have a tendency of complaining. There is no such problem in BTM Layout,” Reddy said.

With only a few residents as members, the BLRF is very weak in this area. One of the major reasons is that many of the residents have rented out their houses to outsiders and do not associate themselves with the local issues.

“The concept of a strong neighbourhood has gone with many of our neighbours renting out their houses to outsiders. We are living in fear now,” said Rajeshwari, a resident of BTM Layout. Without corporators, the BLRF is forced to struggle alone to fight for resolution of the civic problems in the area.

Other wards

Koramangala: 151

The Agrahara lake in this ward is choked with weeds and has become a breeding place for mosquitoes. Due to the road widening in front of Forum Mall, the footpath has disappeared and the road is narrowed. The work is generating dust.

Lakkasandra: 146

This is one of the dirtiest areas in the City. It appears no cleanliness drive was ever carried out here. Heaps of garbage, dust, filth, choked drains and criminal activities are the hallmark of Lakkasandra.

Adugodi: 147

Adugodi is another dirty ward of the constituency. Due to the ongoing road widening work, the entire stretch is covered with dust.

Suddaguntepalya: 152

Garbage is a big menace in this ward. Footpaths have been damaged at several places.

Madiwala: 172

The Madiwala lake is getting filthier by the day. Though the entire lake is fenced, no attention is being paid to the mixing of sewage and the weeds that are gradually eating up the lake.

Jakkasandra: 173

This is a ward that is comparatively in good condition in terms of law and order, because of the police quarters here.